Earlier this afternoon, the German football association (DFB) announced the dismissal of national team manager Hansi Flick following the team’s 4-1 friendly defeat last night to Japan.
The DFB labeled the decision “necessary given the recent set of disappointing results” as Germany prepares to host the European Championship finals next summer. They also stated their objective is to find Flick’s permanent replacement “as soon as possible”.
In the meantime, former Roma forward Rudi Völler, the sporting director of the German national team, was named caretaker alongside Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner.
“Hansi has worn himself out over the last few months and it’s clear we needed a new direction,” Völler said in a press release.
“This isn’t easy for me because I joined the DFB in February in order to support Hanski Flick in every way possible so he can lead us to success.”
He continued, “I believe he’d be the one to get the national team back on track. But in order to play the important and ambitious role we expect in the upcoming European tournament, we must act responsibly and make a change.”
“The most urgent thing is then to bring in a national team coach who at short notice can redirect and prepare our team for the big tournament next year and lift us where we deserve to be.”